Bombardier snags big CRJ orders

The Bombardier CRJ line of regional jets added to its ample order totals recently when over the span of two weeks Mesa Air Group and SkyWest Airlines each signed new deals involving 50-, 70- and 86-seat jets. In Mesa’s case, the Phoenix-based carrier exercised options on a mix of 20 CRJ700s and -900s for delivery through next year. Bombardier has agreed to extend interim financing for more of Mesa’s CRJs, virtually ensuring the airline access to debt commitments for the rest of this year’s deliveries.

For its part, St. George, Utah-based SkyWest converted conditional orders on 10 CRJ200s and exercised two options on CRJ700s. The airline said it would assign all the airplanes to its United Express network this year, and fly them under the same terms and conditions outlined in the current deal.